EVALUATION OF DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES 

OF POLYMER THIN-FILM MATERIALS 

FOR APPLICATION IN EMBEDDED 

CAPACITANCE

Jan Obrzut 

C. K. Chiang 

R. Popielarz 

R. Nozaki

Polymers Division 

100 Bureau Drive, 

Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8541 

USA 

September 2000 

NISTIR 6537
 2 

EXECUTIVE BRIEF 

Evaluation of Dielectric Properties of 

Polymer Thin-Film Materials 

for Application in Embedded Capacitance

The relative dielectric constant of the embedded capacitance 

materials was measured in the frequency range of 100 Hz to 5 GHz. 

The testing included evaluation of the capacitance density, leakage 

current, and the effect of environmental stress on the capacitance. The 

objective of this project was to develop and evaluate a practical test 

method suitable for dielectric permittivity of high-k polymer composite 

films that covers a broad frequency range including the microwave. A 

preliminary set of test pattern, specification and corresponding testing 

procedure have been designed for dielectric characterization of the 

embedded capacitance materials. We have used them to compare the 

dielectric constant of several experimental high-k films recently 

developed by the industry. The low frequency test vehicle consists of 

lumped elements for the permittivity in z and x-y directions. The highfrequency test vehicle was designed as a two-layer circuitry with a 

number of microstrip resonators, transmission lines and coaxial 

terminations. The testing procedure has been examined on films ranging 

from 40 μm to 100 μm thick with relative dielectric constant ranging 

from 4 to 40. We found that the upper frequency limit of the 

measurements decreases with increasing value of the dielectric constant. 

The limit is about 18 GHz for films with the relative dielectric constant 

of 4, and decreases to about 5 GHz for films with the relative dielectric 

constant of 50. 
 3 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Chapter Page No. 

 Executive Brief 

 1. Introduction ........................................................... 7 

 2. Polymer Thin-Film Materials ....................................... 8 

 3. The Test Vehicles ..................................................... 10 

 4. Experimental ........................................................... 14 

 5 Results 

 Polymer Film A .................................................... 18 

 Polymer Film B .................................................... 26 

 Polymer Film C .................................................... 30 

 Polymer Film D .................................................... 34 

 Polymer Film E .................................................... 39 

 6. Summary ................................................................ 43 

 Acknowledgement ..................................................... 46 

 

 Disclaimer ............................................................... 47 

. References ............................................................... 48 
 4 

LIST OF FIGURES 

Figure 1 Test patterns A-E for dielectric characterization of embedded capacitance 

 films at DC and low frequencies ................................................. 12 

Figure 2 Schematic of the test pattern for dielectric evaluation of high K films at 

microwave frequencies ........................................................... 13 

Figure 3 Measurement example using the microstrip test of Film B. (the resonator 

 length l =164 mm, ε

1

 = 3.93 at 461 MHz) ..................................... 16 

Figure 4 Measurement example using the microstrip test of Film E. b) l=164 mm, 

 ε

1

 = 36.3 at 151 MHz; c) l=29.5 mm, ε

1

 = 36.4 at 842 MHz; d) l=8 mm, 

 ε

1

= 35.9 at 3.122 GHz ............................................................ 17 

Figure 5. Insulation resistance of Film A under bias of 100V as a function of 

 temperature ......................................................................... 19 

Figure 6 Capacitance density of Film A as a function of temperature and frequency. 

(TV0 / Metrics, pattern B) ........................................................ 21 

Figure 7 Dielectric loss tangent of Film A as a function of temperature and frequency. 

(TV0 / Metrics, pattern B) ......................................................... 22 

Figure 8 Capacitance density of Film A saturated with moisture d during HAST. 

 (TV0 / Metrics, pattern C) ......................................................... 24 

Figure 9 Dielectric loss tangent of FR4 saturated with moisture d during HAST. 

 (TV0 / Metrics, pattern C) ......................................................... 25 

Figure 10 Capacitance density of Film B as a function of temperature and frequency 

 (TV0, pattern B) ..................................................................... 28 

Figure 11 Dielectric loss tangent of Film B as a function of temperature and frequency 

(TV0, pattern B) .................................................................... 29 

Figure 12 Capacitance density of Film C as a function of temperature and frequency. 

 (TV0, pattern B) .................................................................... 32 

Figure 13 Dielectric loss tangent of Film C as a function of temperature and frequency. 

(TV0, pattern B) ................................................................... 33 

Figure 14 Capacitance density of Film D as a function of temperature and frequency. 

 (TV0, pattern B) ................................................................... 37 
 5 

Figure 15 Dielectric loss tangent of Film D as a function of temperature and frequency. 

(TV0, pattern B) ................................................................... 38 

Figure 16 Capacitance density of Film E as a function of temperature and frequency. 

 (TV0, pattern B) .................................................................... 41 

Figure 17 Dielectric loss tangent of Film E as a function of temperature and frequency. 

(TV0, pattern B) ................................................................... 42 

Figure 18 Comparison of microwave dielectric thin Films ............................ 45 
 6 

LIST OF TABLES 

 

Table 1. Polymer Thin-Film Materials ............................................. 9 

Table 2. High frequency dielectric constant of Film A ............................ 23 

Table 3. High frequency dielectric constant of Film B ............................ 27 

Table 4. High frequency dielectric constant of Film C ............................ 31 

Table 5. Dielectric Constant and Loss Tangent of Film D ........................ 36 

Table 6. Dielectric Constant and Loss Tangent of Film Film E .................. 40 
 7 

Chapter 1 

INTRODUCTION 

Polymer-based high dielectric constant films (high-K) can be used to construct 

embedded, discrete RLC circuits and decoupling power planes for use in wireless 

communication and high-speed electronics. The permittivity of the prospective materials 

should be high and determined with a high degree of confidence for operation at microwave 

frequencies. In order to develop and successfully commercialize such materials, the industry 

needs a suitable test method to measure dielectric properties and to assess the functional and 

reliability performance of these materials in planar, thin film configuration. National Center 

for Manufacturing Science (NCMS) has setup the Embedded Decoupling Capacitance 

Consortium to study this problem. The objectives for National Institute of Standards and 

Technology (NIST) involved in this NCMS-led project was to develop and evaluate a 

practical material test method suitable for dielectric permittivity of high-k polymer composite 

films that covers a broad frequency range including the microwave. 

Currently, there are no standard test procedures for evaluating the electrical properties 

of high relative dielectric constant films in the frequency range of practical importance viz., 

at low frequencies where charge storage is important and at microwave frequencies where 

sub-nanosecond discharge rates are important. The current American Society for Testing and 

Materials (ASTM) and The Institute for Interconnecting and Packaging Electronic Circuits 

(IPC) test procedures are only suited for a narrow frequency range and are designed for large 

samples. For example, ASTM D150, D669 and D1631

 are for near 1 MHz, ASTM 3380, 

IPC-TM-650 No. 2.5.5.5)2

 are for frequencies from 8 GHz to12 GHz. We employed several 

test patterns, specifically designed to evaluate the dielectric properties of high-k polymer 

composite films that were used by the NCMS Embedded Distributed Capacitance Project. 

The dielectric constant of the embedded capacitance materials was measured in the frequency 

range of 100 Hz to 5 GHz. The testing also included evaluation of the capacitance density, 

leakage current, and effect of highly accelerated temperature and humidity stress test, 

(HAST) 3

 on the capacitance. In this work, all dielectric constants are referred to the relative 

dielectric constant of a material. 
 8 

Chapter 2 

POLYMER THIN-FILM MATERIALS 

Five polymer thin-film materials are discussed in this report. They were designed for 

the same application and prepared by microelectronic companies. All specimens are polymer 

composites containing high dielectric constant ferroelectric powders. Each company uses 

their own specific polymer and special powder to form their composite. Each company had 

optimized the processing conditions for the specific composite material. However, all films 

were processed in to the format according to our specifications for evaluation. The essential 

information of the polymer composite thin-films supplied by the film providers are listed in 

Table 1. For comparison, we have prepared a reference thin-film of FR4, Film A. FR4 is a 

fiberglass epoxy laminate, of which we assume the dielectric properties are quite well 

known. Film A has been prepared at same conditions. 
 9 

Table 1 

Polymer Composite Thin-Film Materials 

Film Thickness 

(μm)

Dielectric 

Constant Material 

A 100 4 FR4 

B 50 3.9 Polymer composite 

C 8 20 Polymer composite 

D 48 11.8 Polymer composite 

E 100 36 Polymer composite 
 10 

Chapter 3 

THE TEST VEHICLES

In this section we will describe two test vehicles in details. The term "test vehicle" is 

used since it is a completely processed test specimen with a test circuitry on it. Each 

specimen was prepared starting from a raw polymer composite material, rolled into the form 

of thin film, built into a multi-layer circuit board, and then patterned with a designed test 

circuit. A typical process will involve many detailed steps and very specific methods, which 

will not discuss here. Our descriptions here are limited to the design of two test vehicles. 

Test vehicle 0 (TV0) was used for low frequency measurement. Test vehicle 1 (TV1) was 

used for high frequency measurement. Two test vehicles, TV0 and TV1 were built into 3'' x 

5'' (10 cm x 15 cm) circuit broads. 

The layout of the TV0 test specimen is shown in Figure 1. It contains five patterns, 

A-E, which were designed to characterize the dielectric properties of films from DC to RF 

frequencies. Pattern A is a capacitive termination designed for the APC-7 coaxial airline at 

frequencies of up to 1 GHz. Patterns B, C and D represent a parallel plate capacitance for 

frequencies below 200 MHz. Pattern E was designed to assess electromigration resulting 

from the residual charge impurity levels at the surface and in the bulk of the materials. A 

guard surface circuitry in patterns B, C and D minimizes the effect of the fringing field and 

can be used to measure the surface leakage current. The active area, Af of the pattern B, is 

1.65 cm2

 (0.255 inch2). The active area of pattern D is 0.79 cm2 (0.122 inch2), which is 

approximately half of the area of the B pattern. Pattern C has the back plane circuitry area 

and the active circuitry area perforated, Af =1.58 cm2

, which allows for evaluating the effects 

of moisture absorption and/or the manufacturing process on the materials nominal 

capacitance density Cd = Cm /Af, where Cm represents the value of the measured capacitance. 

The test pattern embedded inside the TV0 card can be electrically accessed via plated though 

holes. Characterization can also be performed on circuitized metal-clad cores to address the 

effects of manufacturing. 
 11 

The high frequency test vehicle (TV1) shown in Figure 2 consists of microstrip lines, 

resonators and the corresponding co-planar terminations arranged in the three sections A, B

and C having the line width of 400 μm, 200 μm and 125 μm respectively. The microstrip 

dimensions and coupling conditions were optimized to avoid overlapping of higher order 

modes and to achieve a low loading level at the resonance4, 5. In addition to the microstrip 

resonators and lines for the through-reflection-line (TRL) measurements, there are five timedomain-reflectometry (TDR) sections for measuring permittivity based on a TDR response to 

a fast, 12.5 ps step voltage rather than on detecting the discrete, resonant frequencies. We 

have developed this technique specifically for thin films6

. The TDR sections A, B and C 

contain coplanar capacitors and short terminations. The TDR section D is designed for the 7 

mm APC standard while the dimensions of the TDR section D corresponds to the 3.5 mm 

APC standard, which is more suitable for films with the highest capacitance density. 

Most of the difficulties in measuring the dielectric constant of high-k thin films at 

higher frequencies arise from the small thickness of the specimen. For such films, the 

desirable electrical parameters can only be realized with very small patterns of highly 

conducting metal traces that are difficult to fabricate and evaluate. Since the width of 

typical traces in plastic packages is 200 μm or larger, the characteristic impedance of such 

thin film devices is low. The usual calibration standards (coaxial shorts, opens and loads) 

become unreliable. To improve the dynamic range of the measurements, we added to the test 

specimen non-coaxial terminations for in-situ calibration verification. 

The currently available test methods are applicable to dielectric sheets thicker than 

1.2 mm with the dielectric constant lower than 12. The new microstrip test pattern is 

appropriate for films as thin as 40 μm having a relative dielectric constant of 50 at 

frequencies of up to 5 GHz. For thinner films, such as Film C, we have applied time domain 

reflectometry method (TDR) using corresponding test patterns to extend the frequency range 

of the data obtained from the microstrip resonators7

. Unlike other techniques, TDR can 

provide information about the high frequency dielectric behavior from the total reflection in 

the presence of a large charging response associated with a large capacitance. 
 12 

Fig. 1 Test patterns A-E for dielectric characterization of embedded capacitance 

films at DC and low frequencies. 

 

A

B

C

D

E
 13 

Fig. 2 Schematic of the test pattern for dielectric evaluation of high K films at microwave 

frequencies. 
 14 

Chapter 4 

EXPERIMENTAL

The low frequency measurements were carried out in accordance to the ASTM D-150 

standard test method1

 using a HP4274A / HP4282A Impedance Analyzer. The 

measurements were performed on TV0 patterns B and C and D. The instrumental 

reproducibility of measurement of complex capacitance is less than 0.5 % of the measured 

value. The effect due to measurement of the fringing field was negligible since the electrical 

configuration included a guarding electrode. The uncertainty in the measurement of the 

electrode size and film thickness was estimated to be about 4 % of the data. The combined 

standard uncertainties of low frequency dielectric constant and tan δ listed in Tables 1 to 

Table 5 are about 5 % of the reported value. 

Measurements in the high frequency range were performed using the high frequency 

test vehicle (TV1, Figure 2) on several microstrip test specimens fabricated to fine 

dimensions using photolithography. The resonant frequencies were detected by measuring 

the S2,1 parameters using a HP 8720D Network Analyzer and Cascade ACP-40-W GSG 

probes. Example results are shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4. The temperature-dependent 

measurements were carried out in the EC-12 Environmental Chamber from Sun 

Microsystems. The relative dielectric constant, εr, was calculated from the following 

formula4















 



 



  + 

 



 =

2 2

2

,

2

2 2w

n

l

m

f

c

m n

r ε

where l and w are the electrical length and width of the resonator, m and n are the mode 

integers. The dielectric loss was estimated from the width of the resonance peak, measured 3 

dB below its maximum value. The largest contribution to the uncertainty in this method 

comes from the coupling length, which affects the total length of the resonator. The 
 15 

combined standard uncertainty of high frequency dielectric constant and tan δ listed In Table 

1 to Table 5 increases from about 2 % at 1 GHz, to 8 % of the value at 5 GHz. The 

capacitance and tan δ data shown in the form of figure in the result section has the same 

uncertainty as discussed here. 
 16 

Figure 3 Measurement example using the microstrip test of Film B. 

 (the resonator length l=164 mm, ε

1

 = 3.93 at 461 MHz). 
 17 

Figure 4 Measurement example using the microstrip test of Film E. b) l=164 mm, 

ε

1

 = 36.3 at 151 MHz; c) l=29.5 mm, ε

1

 = 36.4 at 842 MHz; d) l=8 mm, 

ε

1

= 35.9 at 3.122 GHz. 

 
 18 

Chapter 5 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The five film capacitance materials listed in Chapter 2 were evaluated. For 

comparison, data was interpreted in terms of that obtained for the FR4 fiberglass epoxy 

laminate in analogous conditions. The low frequency measurements were performed on TV0 

pattern B and C. 

Polymer Film A

 

Figure 5 shows the DC insulation resistance of FR4 material under 100 V bias as a 

function of temperature. The insulation resistance decreases from about 1 x 1011 Ω at 85 °C 

to 5 x 107 Ω at 180 °C, indicating an excellent electrical insulation characteristic. 

The capacitance density and the dielectric loss tangent of the FR4 material as a 

function of frequency and temperature are shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7, respectively. In 

the glassy state, below 125 °C, FR4 shows a relatively insignificant dependence of the 

capacitance on frequency, which reflects the behavior of the dielectric constant of he material 

(referred as dielectric dispersion). Following the dielectric dispersion, the capacitance 

density decreases slightly with increasing frequency. In the temperature range of 20 °C to 

about 130 °C, the capacitance density is approximately 0.04 nF/cm2

. Above 130 °C, the FR4 

resin enters the rubbery state and the capacitance increases considerably due to the liberation 

of large-sack motions of the resin backbone. This molecular behavior is also responsible for 

an increase in the dielectric loss tangent at temperatures approaching the glass-rubber 

transition. It is noteworthy that the low frequency loss tangent measurements detect the 

beginning of the glass-rubber relaxation process at temperature typically (10 to 15) °C below 

the Tg determined by the DSC or TMMA techniques. The 200 Hz curve in Figure 7 

exhibits a low temperature shoulder of the α-relaxation peak, which shifts to higher 

temperatures as the 
 19 

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 20

Temperature (°C)

Resistance (Ohm)

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

Figure 5 Insulation resistance of Film A under bias of 100V as a function of temperature. 
 20 

frequency increases. In other words, the dielectric loss at elevated temperatures appears to 

decrease as the frequency increases. 

In addition to the α relaxation, FR4 also exhibits a local β-relaxation, which strongly 

affects the dielectric performance of the material in the RF and microwave frequency range. 

A high temperature shoulder of the β-relaxation peak is seen on the 100 kHz curve in Figure 

7 as a decrease in the dielectric loss in the temperature range of 20 °C to about 140 °C. This 

peak shifts to lower temperatures with decreasing frequency. Therefore, the room 

temperature dielectric loss in Figure 7 appears to increase with increasing frequency. For a 

typical FR4 resin, the room temperature dielectric loss tangent reaches a maximum of about 

0.025 at 10 MHz. The loss due to β relaxation should decrease at higher frequencies (room 

temperature) though molecular defects, free radicals and other paramagnetic impurities may 

contribute to the dielectric loss mechanism, extending it into the microwave. The dielectric 

constant data in the high frequency range obtained for FR4 using the microstrip test pattern is 

given in Table 2. 

Moisture absorbed during a HAST test increases the dielectric loss and the dielectric 

constant (capacitance density). The largest effect is seen at the lowest frequencies (Fig 8) 

due to interfacial polarization. At 200 Hz, the change in capacitance after HAST is about 6 

pF/cm2

. In comparison, the dielectric loss tangent increases considerably higher: from 7 x 

10-3 to about 2 x 10-2. This indicates that the absorbed water may facilitate electromigration 

and compromise the reliability of the dielectric under DC bias or when carrying a digital 

ON/OFF signal. 
 21 

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

Temperature (°C)

C (nF/cm2

)

200 Hz

1 kHz

10 kHz

100 kHz

 Figure 6 Capacitance density of Film A as a function of temperature and frequency. 

 (TV0 /Metrics, pattern B) 
 22 

0.001

0.01

0.1

1

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

Temperature (°C)

tan 

δ

200 Hz

1 kHz

10 kHz

100 kHz

Figure 7 Dielectric loss tangent of Film A as a function of temperature and 

frequency.(TV0 / Metrics, pattern B) 
 23 

Table 2 

High Frequency Dielectric Constant of Film A 

Frequency 

(GHz) 

Dielectric 

Constant Loss Tangent 

0.450 4.13 0.023 

0.924 3.92 0.021 

1.398 3.85 0.02 

1.874 3.81 0.018 

2.348 3.79 0.017 

2.822 3.78 0.017 

3.290 3.78 0.015 

3.771 3.78 0.014 

4.226 3.79 0.012 

 

 (resonator length l=164 mm) 
 24 

0.030

0.035

0.040

0.045

0.050

0.055

0.060

123456

Frequency (Hz)

C (nF/cm2

)

Dry Film

HAST

10 10 10 10 10 10

Figure 8 Capacitance density of Film A saturated with moisture during HAST. 

 (TV0 / Metrics, pattern C) 
 25 

0.001

0.01

0.1

123456

Frequency (Hz)

tan 

δ

Dry Film

HAST

10 10 10 10 10 10

Figure 9 Dielectric loss tangent of FR4 saturated with moisture d during HAST. 

 (TV0 / Metrics, pattern C). 
 26 

POLYMER FILM B 

The DC insulation resistance of the Film B shows a thermally activated behavior 

similar to that of FR4 (Fig 5). The insulation resistance decreases from about 1 x 1011 Ω at 

85 °C to 1 x 107 Ω at 180 °C. A change in the activation energy of the conducting process 

takes place at about 125 °C due to glass-rubber transition of the resin. The capacitance 

density is about 0.08 nF/cm2

, (0.5 nF/inch2) approximately twice that observed in the FR4. 

This is due to the decrease in thickness of the dielectric. The capacitance density and the 

dielectric loss tangent plots shown in Figures 10 and 11 for Film B as a function of frequency 

and temperature are analogous to that of FR4 (Figures 6 and 7). 

The dependence of capacitance density (the dielectric constant) on temperature is 

somewhat stronger than that of FR4, probably due to lower glass transition temperature. 

Consequently, both the large-sack and local relaxation are more temperature dependent, 

which contributes to an increase in loss at the RF and microwave range. The dielectric 

constant data in the high frequency range obtained for Film B using the microstrip test 

pattern is given in Table 3. 

Saturation with moisture during HAST increases capacitance density by about 3 

pF/cm2

 from 0.081nF/cm2 to 0.084 nF/cm2. Moisture also contributes to an increase in the 

dielectric loss. The large effects were similar to those shown in Figs. 8 and 9 for FR4 at the 

lowest frequencies. 
 27 

Table 3 

High frequency dielectric constant and 

loss tangent of Film B 

Frequency 

(Ghz) 

Dielectric 

Constant Loss Tangent 

0.461 3.93 0.024 

0.928 3.88 0.021 

1.399 3.84 0.021 

1.872 3.82 0.020 

2.347 3.8 0.019 

2.820 3.78 0.020 

3.291 3.78 0.016 

3.774 3.75 0.016 

4.225 3.79 0.015 

 

 (Resonator length l=164 mm) 
 28 

0.07

0.08

0.09

0.10

0.11

0.12

0.13

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

Temperature (°C)

C (nF/cm2

)

200 Hz

1 kHz

10 kHz

100 kHz

Fig.10 Capacitance density of Film B as a function of temperature and frequency (TV0, 

pattern B) 
 29 

 

0.001

0.01

0.1

1

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

Temperature (°C)

tan 

δ

200 Hz

1 kHz

10 kHz

100 kHz

Fig.11. Dielectric loss tangent of Film B as a function of temperature and 

frequency.(TV0, pattern B) 
 30 

Polymer Film C

The capacitance density of the Film C, 8 μm thick films were determined to be about 

2.5 nF/cm2

 (16 nF/inch2) at ambient conditions. The material shows a depressive behavior, 

similar to that of epoxy-based composites. The capacitance density and the dielectric loss 

tangent plots are shown in Figures 12 and 13 as a function of temperature at several 

frequencies. A thermally activated increase in capacitance is seen above 85 °C (Figure 12). 

The data in Figure 12 and 13 is reminiscent of a resin blend that has a glass transition 

temperature below 130 °C. Therefore, the temperature dependence of capacitance density 

(dielectric constant) is stronger than of FR4 and both the large sack and local relaxation are 

more temperature dependent. This is evidenced as an increase in the dielectric loss. The 

dielectric constant at high frequencies, above 1 MHz, was measured using the TDR 

technique (Table 4). Due to the small thickness and large capacitance, the 400 μm wide 

microstrip lines exhibited very low impedance, below 2 Ω, causing a large return loss (S11) at 

the input reference plane. Therefore, the resonance peaks were diminished and analysis 

difficult, especially at frequencies above 1 GHz. In contrast, the TDR method was more 

suitable for determination of the dielectric constant in the presence of large charging currents. 

The results obtained at the ambient temperature are listed in Table 4. It is seen that Film C 

exhibits relatively low dispersion. The dielectric constant decreases slightly from 23 at 200 

Hz to 20.5 at 2 GHz. The dielectric loss tangent increases from 0.005 to about 0.14 in the 

same frequency range. At 1 GHz, Film C exhibited the largest loss among the investigated 

materials. 
 31 

Table 4 

High frequency dielectric constant and 

loss tangent of Film C 

Frequency 

Dielectric 

Constant tan(δ) 

200 Hz* 23.2 0.00572 

1 kHz* 23.1 0.008510 

100 kHz* 22.5 0.0135 

1 MHz** 22.4 0.0250 

10 MHz** 22.0 0.0387 

100 MHz** 21.5 0.0436 

1.0 GHz** 21.1 0.0810 

1.5 GHz** 20.8 0.133 

2.0 GHz** 20.5 0.141 

2.5 GHz** 20.5 0.145 

* LCR Impedance Analyzer, TV0 pattern B. 

** HF TV, TDR pattern D 
 32 

1

10

100

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

TEMPERATURE (°C)

C (nF/cm2

)

100 Hz

100 kHz

1 kHz

Fig. 12 Capacitance density of Film C as a function of temperature and frequency. 

(TV0, pattern B) 
 33 

0.001

0.01

0.1

1

10

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

Temperature (°C)

tan

δ

100 Hz

1 kHz

100 kHz

Fig.13 Dielectric loss tangent of Film C as a function of temperature and frequency. 

(TV0, pattern B) 
 34 

Polymer Film D

The insulation resistance of Film D decreases with increasing temperature 

exponentially from about 3 x 109 Ω at 85 °C to 5 x 106 Ω at 180 °C. In contrast to the 

epoxy-based composites, which undergo a glass-rubber transition at about 130 °C, the 

thermally activated DC conductivity of Film D in the glassy state has single activation 

energy. The capacitance density is about 0.25 nF/cm2

, which corresponds to the dielectric 

constant 12 for films of 41 μm in thickness at ambient temperatures. 

 Figures 14 and 15 shows the effect of temperature on the capacitance density and the 

dielectric loss tangent at several frequencies from 200 Hz to 100 kHz. At ambient conditions 

the capacitance density is about 0.25 nF/cm2

 (1.5 nF/inch2) without noticeable dispersion, i.e. 

no frequency dependence. The capacitance density increases with temperature only at 

frequencies below 10 kHz. This behavior probably originates from the interfacial 

arrangement and polarization between separate phases in the composite rather than from 

polarization of the polyimide backbone itself. It is seen that at higher frequencies, above 10 

kHz, the capacitance density appears to be independent of temperature. This is in contrast to 

the epoxy-based composites, which typically show thermally activated increase in 

capacitance when the rubbery transition of the resin is approached. It is worthy to note that 

the dielectric loss tangent decreases with increasing frequency. 

At room temperature, Figure 15, the dielectric loss tangent decreases from 

approximately 0.01 at 200 Hz to 0.002 at 1 MHz (Table 5). In comparison, the epoxy-based 

composite films show an increasing loss at similar frequencies and temperatures. The 

dielectric data of high-k polyimide at higher frequencies is listed in Table 5 where the 

dielectric constant decreases from 12.5 at 200 Hz to about 11.6 at 6 GHz. An apparent 

increase in the dielectric loss tangent at frequencies of 265 MHz and above may be the result 

of electrical limitations of the microstrip test specimen (limited Q factor) at higher 

frequencies. 
 35 

Saturation with moisture during HAST increases capacitance density and loss of 

Film D considerably. The effect is especially large at the lowest frequencies and might be 

due to interfacial polarization and accumulation of charge carriers between the polyimide 

resin and the ceramic phases. At 200 Hz, 25 °C, the difference in capacitance density 

between the dry and moisture-saturated samples was about 120 pF/cm2

. 
 36 

Table 5 

High frequency dielectric constant and 

loss tangent of Film D 

Frequency Dielectric 

Constant Loss tangent 

200 Hz 12.5 0.01 

1 kHz 12.3 0.0048 

10 kHz 12.2 0.0032 

100 kHz 12.1 0.0031 

1 MHz 11.9 0.0029 

265 MHz 11.9 0.0082 

757 MHz 12.1 0.011 

1.0931 GHz 11.8 0.0098 

3.0278 GHz 11.7 0.0122 

3.6511GHz 11.7 0.011 

5.9642GHz 11.6 0.011 
 37 

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

TEMPERATURE (°C)

C (nF/cm2

)

200 Hz

1 kHz

10 kHz

100 kHz

 Fig.14 Capacitance density of Film D as a function of temperature and 

 frequency.(TV0, pattern B) 
 38 

-3

-2

-1

0

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

TEMPERATURE (°C)

tan 

δ

200 Hz

1 kHz

10 kHz

100 kHz

10

10

10

10

Fig.15 Dielectric loss tangent of Film D as a function of temperature and frequency. 

(TV0, pattern B) 
 39 

Polymer Film E

 The DC insulation resistance of Film E shows a thermally activated behavior similar 

to that seen in Figure 5 for FR4. The insulation resistance decreases from about 1011 Ω at 85 

°C to 107 Ω at 180 °C. A change in the activation energy of the conducting process was 

detected at about 125 °C, which originated from the glass-rubber transition of the resin 

matrix. 

The capacitance density measured at ambient temperature was about 0.33nF/cm2

 (2.1 

nF/inch2

), which for films 100 μm thick corresponds to a dielectric constant of about 37. 

This is one of the highest dielectric constant values measured for an epoxy composite loaded 

with ferroelectric powder. Since the practically achievable loading level is a volume faction 

of about 50 % of the ceramic powder phase, the BaTiO3 powder-epoxy composites may 

exhibit a dielectric constant about 50. The capacitance density and the dielectric loss tangent 

plots as a function of temperature at several frequencies are shown in Figure 16 and 17. A 

thermally activated increase in capacitance is seen above 130 °C (Figure 16). The character 

of the dielectric loss data is reminiscent of the FR4 epoxy resin laminates. This indicates 

that the organic matrix rather than the high dielectric constant ceramic filler dictate the 

dielectric loss. Thus, an increase in the dielectric loss with increasing frequency seen at 

room temperature originates from the relaxation processes in the polymer. 

 Table 6 lists the room temperature dielectric constant and loss obtained for Film E using 

the low frequency pattern B (200 Hz to 1 MHz) and the microstrip test pattern (100 MHz to 8 

GHz). Saturation with moisture during the 200 h HAST increases the capacitance density. 

At 200 Hz and 25 °C, the difference in capacitance density between the dry and moisturesaturated samples was measured to be about 70 pF/cm2

. Moisture absorption also 

contributed to an increase in the dielectric loss. The effect was somewhat larger than that 

shown in Figs. 8 and 9 for FR4. 
 40 

Table 6 

Dielectric Constant and Loss Tangent of Film E 

Frequency Dielectric Constant Loss tangent 

200 Hz 39.2 0.00774 

1 kHz 38.8 0.0101 

10 kHz 38.2 0.0151 

100 kHz 37.9 0.0198 

1 MHz 37.2 0.0212 

99.98 MHz 36.6 0.0182 

151.87 MHz 36.3 0.0168 

414.32 MHz 36.3 0.0151 

842.00 MHz 36.4 0.0132 

1.729 GHz 36.0 0.0123 

3.122 GHz 35.9 0.0114 

7.921 GHz 36.0 0.01029 
 41 

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

TEMPERATURE (°C)

C (nF/cm2

)

100 Hz

1 kHz

10 kHz

100 kHz

Fig.16 Capacitance density of Film E as a function of temperature and frequency. 

(TV0, pattern B) 
 42 

-3

-2

-1

0

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

TEMPERATURE (°C)

tan 

δ

200 Hz

1 kHz

10 kHz

100 kHz

10

10

10

10

Fig.17 Dielectric loss tangent of Film E as a function of temperature and frequency. 

(TV0, pattern B) 
 43 

Chapter 6 

SUMMARY 

Dielectric characterization of embedded capacitance materials has been done as a 

function of temperature at frequencies ranging from 200 Hz to 5 GHz. The measurements of 

the dielectric constant were performed in a practical, functional, thin film configuration using 

test specimens specifically designed for the NCMS-led Embedded Capacitance Project. The 

test specimens were fabricated using standard copper circuitize and card lamination 

processes by participant companies. 

The largest dielectric constant was measured for Film E. At 1 GHz this material 

showed a dielectric constant of 36. The capacitance density of a 100 μm thick Film E was 

about 0.33 nF/cm2

 (2.1 nF/inch2). Film C showed at 1 GHz a dielectric constant of 20. In 

comparison, the capacitance density of the 8 μm thick Film C was about 2.5 nF/cm2

 

(16 nF/inch2

) nearly 8 times larger than that of Film E due to much smaller thickness of the 

dielectric film. At frequency of 1 GHz, the dielectric constant of the Film D was about 11.8, 

while the capacitance density of the 48 μm thick film was comparable to that of Film E, 

about 0.25 nF/cm2 (1.5 nF/inch2). Film B exhibited the lowest dielectric constant, 3.9 and 

the lowest capacitance density 0.08 nF/cm2

 (0.5 nF/inch2) among the evaluated materials for 

50 μm-thick films. Using the capacitance density of FR4 laminate as a reference, we 

arranged the tested materials in the order of increasing the capacitance density as shown in 

Figure 18. Our conclusion is that the capacitance density of the Film C was 63 times larger 

than that of FR4. This is the state of art high dielectric constant film can be made by 

industries if a material required today. 

During heating, Films E, C and B showed a thermally activated increase in 

capacitance and dielectric loss, similar to that of FR4 epoxy resin when the glass transition 

temperature is approached. In contrast, permittivity of the Film D was much less 

temperature dependent, especially at higher frequencies. 
 44 

The dielectric properties of all the tested thin film capacitance composites are 

sensitive to moisture. Water accumulated during HAST typically increase the capacitance 

density and the dielectric loss tangent. The largest effect was observed at lowest frequencies 

due to moisture-activated conductivity and interfacial polarization. 

The high frequency microstrip test pattern with 400 μm wide traces was appropriate 

for testing high-k films thicker than 40 μm at frequencies of up to 5 GHz. We are 

investigating the applicability of higher impedance, narrower traces (250 μm and 125 μm 

wide) for films thinner than 40 μm. 
 45 

Fig.18 Comparison of microwave dielectric thin films. Capacitance density of Film A is 

assigned as one and used as the reference. 

 63

 8

 6

 2

Film A 1

Film B

Film D

Film E

Film C

Capacitance Density
 46 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

This work was supported in part by the NIST Advanced Technology Program. We 

like to acknowledge the members of National Center for Manufacturing Science for 

providing the test specimens. 
 47 

DISCLAIMER 

Certain materials and equipment identified in this manuscript are solely for specifying 

the experimental procedures and do not imply endorsement by NIST or that they are 

necessarily the best for these purposes. 
 48 

REFERENCES 

1. ASTM D150, D669, IPC TM-650, 2.5.5.1-9, “Permittivity (dielectric constant) and loss 

tangent (dissipation factor) of insulating materials”, Rev. 5/86. 

2. ASTM 3380, IPC TM-650, 2.5.5.5, “Stripline test for complex permittivity of circuit 

board materials to 14 GHz”, Rev. 5/97. 

3. JEDEC STANDARD No. 22-A110 Highly-Accelerated Temperature and Humidity 

Stress Test, condition C. The sample was placed at 130 °C and 85% relative humidity for 

200 hours. 

4. P. H. Ladbrooke, M. H. N. Potok, and E. H. England, “Coupling errors in cavityresonance measurements on MIC dielectrics”, IEEE Trans., vol. MTT-21, pp 560-562, 

(1973). 

5. K. C. Gupta, R. Garg, I. Bahl and P. Bhartia, Microstrip Lines and Slot lines, Artech 

House, Boston, 1996. 

6. R. Nozaki and J. Obrzut, “Microwave permittivity measurements of dielectric films using 

TDR”, International Union of radio Science Conference, URSI-2000, pp 134, January 4 

– 8, 2000 Boulder, Colorado. 

7. J. Obrzut and R. Nozaki, “Permittivity measurements of high dielectric constant films at 

microwave frequencies” IPC EXPO 2000, April 2-6, 2000, San Diego CA. 
 49 

This page is just for information . Do Not Use.

 

1

 ASTM D150, D669, IPC TM-650, 2.5.5.1-9, “Permittivity (dielectric constant) and loss 

tangent (dissipation factor) of insulating materials”, Rev. 5/86. 

2 ASTM 3380, IPC TM-650, 2.5.5.5, “Stripline test for complex permittivity of circuit 

board materials to 14 GHz”, Rev. 5/97. 

3

 JEDEC STANDARD No. 22-A110 Highly-Accelerated Temperature and Humidity 

Stress Test, condition C. The sample was placed at 130 °C and 85% relative humidity for 

200 hours. 

4

 P. H. Ladbrooke, M. H. N. Potok, and E. H. England, “Coupling errors in cavityresonance measurements on MIC dielectrics”, IEEE Trans., vol. MTT-21, pp 560-562, 

(1973). 

5

 K. C. Gupta, R. Garg, I. Bahl and P. Bhartia, Microstrip Lines and Slot lines, Artech 

House, Boston, 1996. 

6

 R. Nozaki and J. Obrzut, “Microwave permittivity measurements of dielectric films using 

TDR”, International Union of radio Science Conference, URSI-2000, pp 134, January 4 

– 8, 2000 Boulder, Colorado. 

7

 J. Obrzut and R. Nozaki, “Permittivity measurements of high dielectric constant films at 

microwave frequencies” IPC EXPO 2000, April 2-6, 2000, San Diego CA.